Method of manufacture of a liquid applicator



METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF A LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed May 2, 1960 S. DEUTSCH March 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm w mm II II m Simon Deutsch March 5, 1963 s. DEUTSCH 3,080,197

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF A LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed May 2, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F I F 6.8

INVENTORI United States Patent Ofifice assets? Patented Mar. 5, 1953 3,080,197 METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF A LIQUID APPLICATOR Simon Deutsch, 50 E. DiLido Drive, Miami Beach 39, Fla. Filed May 2, 1960, Ser. No. 26,155 2 Claims. (Ci. 30t)21) The present invention relates to a method for making a new and novel liquid dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a method for making an apparatus which is especially adapted for dispensing lotions having a relatively high viscosity.

As described herein, the apparatus made by the present invention is utilized for the application of shaving lotion and the like. With this type ofdispensing apparatus, the lotion may be applied directly to the skin without employing the intermediary of a brush or by using the fingers. It should be understood at the outset that the apparatus made by the present invention is equally applicable to the dispensing of various types of other lotions such as sun tan lotion, deodorants, face and hand lotions, and various other types of lotions which may be utilized for the relief of burns and irritations and muscular aches and pains.

It is further evident that the app-licating apparatus of the present invention can be as well employed for applying a particular type of lotion to either the skin or hair or any other desired surface other than human, if it is so desired. In any case, the apparatus made by the present invention has as a particular object the dispensing of relatively heavy emulsion in a finely divided and creamy textured lather-like form. This is, of course, a highly desirable end result in the application of shaving lotions.

For many years, shaving creams have been dispensed from flexible tubes wherein the shaving cream or the like is dispensed in a thin ribbon in a more or less plastic state and then subsequently lathered up by means of a brush or the like. More recently, pressurized cans have been employed wherein the cream is forced out under gas pressure in a somewhat aerated form.

The apparatus made by the present invention relates to an arrangement wherein a pliable, flexible container of the squeeze bottle type is employed such that the bottle itself can be manually deformed and. squeezed to force the contents out of the open end of the container. As is well known, this type of operation tends to aerate the contents of the container which is a desirable end effect in the producing of shaving lather.

The apparatus made by the present invention provides a novel top employed on a squeeze bottle, the top including a relatively rigid body means and a porous flexible applicator head which is supported on the rigid body means. The body means includes a construction which permits it to be mounted in operative position on a squeeze bottle and additionally employs a novel structural arrangement for clamping the applicator head in operative position.

The applicator head is formed of a material which provides many beneficial advantages as compared with the presently used means of dispensing shaving creams. Pref erably, a microporous polyester foam is employed having a relatively sponge-like texture. This type of material possesses certain highly useful characteristics. It is, of course, desirable to provide an applicator means which will provide a smooth, uniform application of cream to the skin, and at the same time which will prevent dripping from the applicator head after the head is removed from the skin. This is accomplished in a very effective manner in the present invention since the applicator head is formed of a material which is microporous and as the bottle is squeezed, the lotion will be uniformly distributed and oozes into the many pores of the applicator head and is pressed out therefrom by the application of pressure during operation, thereby uniformly distributed in fine droplets at the outer surface of the applicator head.

The material of the applicator head itself also permit-s it to be readily deformed so as to be effectively mounted in operative position in a simple and inexpensive manner by purely a mechanical interconnection thereby eliminating the necessity of permitting any cements or adhesives which produce cracking, softening, and premature peeling of applicator means when employed therewith.

In order to accomplish the desired result, the applicator head must not only be deformed during assembly thereof, but must expand under pressure during operation to dispense the lotion. This is admirably accomplished in the present invention and the lotion is retained as aerated beads on the outer surface of the applicator head after intermittent expansion and contraction of the applicator head under pressure during operation. It is, of course, realized that when pressure is applied to the associated container, the lotion will be forced outwardly through the applicator head. .However, when pressure is released from the container, the applicator head of the present invention is self-retractable, or in other words, it is resilient and flexible so that when the pressure is released from the interior of the associated container, the applicator head will tend to suck the dispensed lotion back into the pores thereof pulling back the surplus lotion and replacing the air which has been expelled from the interior of the container. This prevents the lotion from dripping off of the applicator head after use for applying lotion to the skin or the like, and also uniform smooth application of the lotion is obtained while in use.

A particularly advantageous feature of the apparatus made by the present invention is the manner of manufacture and assembly thereof, As stated previously, it is highly desirable to eliminate the necessity of providing adhesives or cements for holding the applicator head in position since these materials have deleterious results on the applicator head itself. Accordingly, the present invention incorporates a unique arrangement for securing the applicator head in place. To this end, a relatively rigid body means is provided with an annular groove and, of course, has a hole formed therethrough through which the shaving lotion passes during dispensing operations.

The applicator head itself is initially provided in the form of a flattened piece of material which is subsequently deformed so as to dispose the peripheral edge portions thereof within the annular groove of the body means. Then a clamping member in the form of an annular ring is forcedinto the groove to clamp the peripheral edge portions of the applicator head within the groove thereby fixing the applicator head to the body means and providing a rigid compact top which can be threaded onto a deformable squeeze bottle container. Additionally, not only is this a very simple and expeditious manner of producing such a top, but, also, it provides a very neat and attractive external appearance which is of special value when it is considered that this type of dispenser may well be employed by discriminating women for applying shaving lotion to their skin. Furthermore, once the components of the apparatus have been secured in operative relationship, there is no danger of their becoming accidentally released from one another, and accordingly, the apparatus is fool-proof in operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel method for making a liquid dispensing apparatus for directly dispensing relatively high viscosity lotions to the skin and the like.

Another object is the provision of a method for mak- 3 ing a liquid dispensing applicator which substantially eliminates any undesired dripping of lotion therefrom, and yet which ensures smooth and uniform application of lotion when in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of making dispensing apparatus which provides a simple and effective manner of assembling the various components thereof and yet which securely clamps the components in operative position with respect to one another.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of method for making a liquid dispensing apparatus which eliminates the necessity of providing cements or adhesives for maintaining the components in operative relationship.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method for making a liquid dispensing apparatus which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction and yet which is compact, sturdy and reliable in operation.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accom panying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view partly cut away of apparatus employed in the method of manufacture of the novel dispensing apparatus made according to the present invention;

FIG. 2. is a view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 in a different operative position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an intermediate step in the manufacture of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a still further step in the manner of assembling the apparatus;

FIG. 5 illustrates a subsequent step in completing the manufacture of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates the completed construction with the completed applicator top while still in the die employed during the manufacturing process;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the novel applicator top shown mounted in operated position on the open neck of a flexible squeeze bottle container;

BIG. 8 illustrates an elevation of the completed liquid dispensing apparatus; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the body means of the dispenser top.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 8 illustrates the complete assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 10 including the flexible squeeze bottle 11 having the improved top or cap indicated generally by reference numeral 12 mounted in operative position thereon. Container 11 is preferably formed of a suitable plastic such as polyethylene which can be readily manually deformed when it is desired to dispense lotion therefrom. The top portion 12 is threaded in operative position as shown, and the details of construction thereof will appear hereinafter.

At this point, a brief discussion of the shaving lotion itself is in order. As mentioned previously, of course, various other types of locations may also be dispensed by the apparatus, but preferably a shaving lotion is employed which requires no prewash or after-wash, nor any after shaving lotions and the like. Accordingly, the shaving operation can be carried out without touching the lotion itself with the hands, and wherein the lotion can be merely wiped off dry after completing the shaving operation. A particular advantage of this method of shaving is the fact that it saves the cost of after shaving lotions and powders normally employed in conjunction with the shaving lotion itself.

The lotion employed within the container may be of many particular composition, but preferably, the shaving lotion is basically a triethanolamine stearate soap base, specially treated with anionic and non-ionic emulsifiers and plastisizers in various concentrations so regulated that it can be readily squeezed through the applicator head when it is desired to apply the lotion to the skin.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 7, the complete assembly is shown in cross-section, and the upper end of the plastic container is provided with a neck 15 having an open upper end 16. A threaded portion 17 is provided on the outer surface of the upper end of the neck, and an annular rib 18 is formed around the outer wall of the neck portion just below the threaded portion thereof.

The top portion 12 consists of three basic components, namely, a body portion 20, an applicator head 21 and a clamping ring portion 22. The body means and the ring 22 are formed of a relatively rigid material such as polyethylene molded plastic, and include an end wall 25 which as seen has a substantially dome-shaped configuration to define an arcuate outer supporting surface 26. A central opening 27 is formed through the end wall 25 through which the lotion passes during dispensing operations.

As seen particularly in FIG. 9, body means 20 is substantially circular in plan and includes a tubular inner sleeve port-ion 30 which is formed integral with the end wall 20, and a peripheral flange 31 is also formed inte gral with end wall 20, flange 31 being disposed in concentric spaced relationship to the inner sleeve portion 30. It will also be noted that opening 27 is formed substantially concentric with the inner sleeve portion and is in communication with the interior of the sleeve portion. It will be noted that the inner sleeve portion and the surrounding flange define an annular groove 35.

Referring again to FIG. 7, it will be noted that the inner surface of inner tubular portion 30 is provided with threads 36 which cooperate with the threads 17 formed on the upper end of the container neck for securing the body means in operative position on the neck of the container. It will also be noted that in the operative position as shown in FIG. 7, the inner sleeve portion 30 depends from the end wall 25 a greater distance than the flange portion 31. It will also be noted that the bottom of annular groove 35 extends substantially normally to the adjacent side walls of the groove as defined by the outer surface of the sleeve portion 36 and the inner surface of the flange 31 respectively.

As seen in FIG. 7, the applicator head is mounted in operative position and comprises member 21 formed of a suitable polyester foam such as is sold commercially as Polyfoam No. 1104 manufactured by the General Foam Corporation, New York, New York. This particular material has the aforementioned characteristics and as seen in FIG. 7 is disposed in overlying relationship to the end wall 25 of the body means and the opening 27 formed therethrough.

It will be noted that applicator head 21 has a maximum thickness at that portion which overlies opening 27 and that the thickness thereof gradually diminishes toward the peripheral edges. The outer peripheral portions of the applicator head 21 which conform to the generally circular dome-shaped configuration of the body means is folded around the under lip of flange portion 31 and extends into the annular grooves formed between the flange 31 and the inner sleeve portion 30. p

A substantially annular clamping ring 22 is pressed into the annular groove and fits snugly about the outer surface of sleeve portion 30 of the body means. The dimensions of the clamping ring 22 and the clamped pe ripher-al portion of the applicator head 21 are such that the clamping ring and adjacent portions of the applicator head are tightly clamped within the annular groove thereby maintaining the clamping ring and the peripheral portions of the applicator head in locked relationship within the annular groove such that they do not become separated during use of the apparatus. This arrangement serves to secure the applicator head in operative position relative to the body means of the dispensing top. It will, of course, be noted that the peripheral portions of the applicator head itself which are clamped between the clamping ring and the flange means are of less thickness than the remaining portions of the applicator head since this particular portion of the applicator head is under a high degree of compression.

Turning now to the mode of manufacturing the apparatus, the sequential steps in manufacturing the dispensing top are illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. it will be realized that the particular apparatus illustrated herein is merely illustrative and that many modifications will occur to one skilled in the art as long as the general principles employed in the method of manufacture are followed.

For the purpose of illustration, an air actuated press indicated generally by reference numeral 40 is shown. The press includes a bed portion 41 and an upstanding support arm 42 having a laterally extending upper end 43 from which the operating mechanism is supported. A substantially cylindrical depression 45 is provided in the base of the press for supporting a die 46 having a complementary cylindrical outer configuration. An opening 47 is provided through the bed of the press and an aligned opening 48 is provided in the bottom Wall of the die for a purpose hereinafter described. The die 46 is, of course, readily removable from the depression 45 in the bed of the die when desired.

The side Wall of the die includes a lower portion 50 and an upper portion 51, the upper wall portion 51 having a reduced thickness as compared to the lower wall portion 50. The inner surfaces of the wall portions 50 and 51 are interconnected to one another by a rounded wall portion 52, the upper peripheral portion of rounded wall portion 52 serving as a seat which supports the piece of flexible porous material comprising the applicator head of the device prior to initiating the manufacture of the apparatus.

Supported from the upper end 43 of the press is a fluid operated actuating mechanism including a yoke member 55 secured by a bolt 56 to portion 43 of the press. Yoke member 55 is of substantially circular plan configuration and is provided with a circular recess in the under surface thereof receiving the upper edge of a cylinder 57. The lower end of cylinder 5'7 is closed by an end Wall member 58 also being substantially cylindrical in plan configuration and including a downwardly extending boss 59, the end wall member having an opening 60 formed therethrough.

Cylinder 57 is clamped between yoke member 55 and the lower end wall member 58 by means of rods 65 extending through suitable openings formed in members 55 and 58 and being held in place by bolts 66. A piston 67 is slidably mounted within the cylinder. 57 in a conventional manner, and a piston rod 53 operatively connected to piston 67 extends slidably through opening 60 in the lower end wall 58.

A fiuid conduit 70 extends to a suitable source of selectively controllable fluid pressure, line 7% being connected with a suitable bore formed in yoke member 55 so as to communicate with the interior of cylinder 57.

A cross head 71 is connected adjacent the lower end of piston rod 63 and extends laterally to either side of the lower end wall 58. Tension springs 72 are connected in a conventional manner between diametrically opposite portions of the yoke member 55 and opposite ends of the cross head 71, the springs 72 normally tending to lift the cross head and attached piston into the elevated position shown in FIG. 1.

The lower end 75 of the piston rod is shown as being threaded for receiving a suitable tool holder 76 provided with a shank 77 having a threaded opening 78 formed therein which receives the lower threaded end of the piston rod. Tool holder 76 is provided with a cylindrical recess 79 which is adapted to receive a suitable tool as hereinafter described.

It is evident that the press arrangement is such that upon the introduction of fluid pressure through conduit 70 to the interior of the cylinder, piston 67 will be urged in a downward direction. When the fluid pressure is released from the cylinder, spring 72 will return the cross head 71 and associated piston to the upper position shown in FIG. 1. While this type of arrangement is quite effective in carrying out the present invention, it is evident that many other types of apparatus which operate in a similar manner would be quite suitable for accomplishing the desired end results.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a tool 80 is illustrated as being mounted in operative position within the cylindrical recess 79 in the tool holder 76. Tool 80 includes a top Wall portion 81 which is of generally cylindrical outer configuration and a depending cylindrical side wall 82. Side wall 82 is of reduced thickness at the lower portion 83 thereof for a purpose hereinafter described and terminates in a beveled bottom edge 84. It will be noted that the portion below the bottom surface 85' of the top wall portion 81 of the tool 80 is hollow for accommodating the body means therewithin.

As seen in FIG. 1, the body means is shown as mounted in operative position upon tool 80, the outer surface of the sleeve portion 30 of the body means 20 being snugly received within the cylindrical recess defined in tool 80 and thereby held in operative position as shown. It will be noted that when in such operative position, the lower portion 83 of reduced thickness of the side wall of the tool 'fits within the annular groove 35 formed in the body means.

As seen at the lower portion of FIG. 1, a piece of flexible porous material according to the present invention is supported within the die 46. The piece 90 which eventually becomes the applicator head of the assembly is of substantially disc-like configuration and rests upon the annular seat defined by the upper portion of the curved wall portion 52 of the inner wall of the die.

When the body means 2% and the piece of porous material 9% are mounted in position as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is in readiness for carrying out the steps of the manufacture of the dispenser device.

The first step in the manufacture of the apparatus is to position the applicator head over the body means. This is accomplished according to the present invention by applying fluid pressure to the upper portion of the piston to force the tool holder 76 and too-1.80 downwardly thereby forcing the body means into the mass of material of the piece 90. As seen in FIG. 2, as the body means under the influence of fluid pressure is pushed downwardly, it carries the applicator head 9t? downwardly within the die. As applicator head 90 moves downwardly, certain peripheral portions indicated by reference numerals 91 are compressed between the outer surface of the flange 31 of the body means and the adjacent inner surface of the lower wall portion 5% of the die. It is evident that as the body means moves downwardly with respect to the die, the curved wall portion 52 will facilitate the deformation of the applicator head into the position shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the piston, tool 80 and body means 26 have reached the lower limit of travel and the body means has been pressed into the material of the applicator head with the applicator head being compressed be tween the body means and the adjacent walls of the die. After the apparatus has reached the position shown in FIG. 2, the fluid pressure is released from the press, and springs 72 return tool 89 to its upper position. As tool '86 moves upwardly, the frictional force between the tool and the body means is less than the frictional force between the die, the compressed applicator head portions and the body means. As a result, the tool 80 will pull away from the body means, and the body means and compressed applicator head Q0 will remain within the die.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this view illustrates the relative positions of the body means Ztland the applicator head 90 after the tool 8% has pulled away from the body means and has been elevated to its raised position by the springs 72. It will be noted that the outermost peripheral portions 5 of the applicator head 6 which extend upwardly above flange 31 and which are not under compression naturally lie in the folded over position shown such that they are in overlying relationship to the annular groove 35 of the body means.

The next subsequent operation in the manufacture of the device is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein fluid pressure is again applied to the piston and c-lyinder to force the piston downwardly thereby carrying the tool 36 in a downward direction. The beveled edge 84 of tool 86 will then engage the outermost peripheral portions 95 of the applicator head 9d as was described in FIG. 3, and the beveled edge 34 of the tool '8!) will force these up- Wardly extending free peripheral portions of the applicator head downwardly into the annular groove 35 of the body means.- FIG. 4 illustrates the portions 95 of the applicat-o-r head as being ur ed downwardly into the groove 35, and these portions of the applicator head are subsequently carried all the way down to substantially the bottom of the groove as the tool 84 moves still further in a downward direction, it being noted that the tool 89 is shown at an intermediate position as compared to its full downward stroke.

At this point, the purpose of providing the reduced wall portion 83 of the tool will be readily appreciated. As the tool 80 moves downwardly, the lower wall portion S3 thereof moves into the annular groove while carrying the outermost peripheral portions 95 of the applicator head downwardly into the groove. There must of necessity be some clearance between the outer surface of the lower wall portion of the tool and the adjacent inner surface of flange 31 to permit the material of the applicator head to be carried down into the annular groove.

Referring now to FIG. 5, portions 9'5 of the applicator head 9d are shown as being tucked completely downwardly within the annular groove in the body means, and the next subsequent operation may be carried out. The tool employed for carrying out the next operation after the step illustrated in FIG. 4 is slightly different from tool 89 :and'accordingly preferably two different presses are employed, one of which is provided with tool 80 and the other of which is provided with the tool hereinafter de scribed. In this manner, the die 46 may be shifted from one press to another in a simple manner to carry out the different operations. It is also realized, of course, that the tools themselves could be interchanged on the some press, but this would not be nearly as efficient in operation in mass production procedures.

As seen in FIG. 5, it is assumed that a different press 45 is employed, press 45 being in all respects similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4, and similar components being given the same reference numerals primed. In order to carry out the next subsequent operation, a modified tool 16% is employed, this tool including a substantially cylindrical wall portion 1G1 which is snugly received within the cylindrical recess 79 of the tool holder 76. The lower end of wall portion 1d]. includes a radially inwardly extending annular shoulder portion W2.

A top wall portion 105 is secured to the upper inner portion of the cylindrical wall 1M, and a plunger 106 includes a lower portion 19% having a first outer diameter slidably fitted within the inner surface of shoulder portion 102 and an upper portion 109 of slightly greater outer diameter which is slidably received by the inner surface of cylindrical wall 101.

It is apparent that plunger 1% is freely slidable within wall portion ltil, yet interengagement between shoulder 102 and the under surface of that portion of the upper part of the plunger which extends radially outwardly of the lower portion of the plunger positively limits downward movement of the plunger with respect to the wall 101; A compression spring 110 is disposed within cylin drical portion 101 and bears against the upper surface of plunger 1% and the under surface of end wall 195 thereby constantly urging the plunger in a downward direction.

As seen in FIG. 5, the annular ring 22 is mounted upon the lower end of plunger 106 and is frictionally retained thereon due to the fact that the clamping ring 22 is a relatively tight fit on the outer surface of the lower portion of the plunger.

After the components have been positioned as shown in FIG. 5, fluid pressure is applied to the cylinder and piston of the press thereby urging the piston and tool 1% downwardly. The lower surface of the plunger 1% will engage the upper edge of the inner sleeve portion 3! and upon subsequent movement of the tool 1% down wardly, plunger 106 will slide upwardly within the inner bore of the tool to permit relative movement between the wall and the plunger.

As the tool moves still further downwardly, clamping ring 22 will fit snugly about the outer surface of sleeve portion 30 of the body means, and the lower edge of wall 101 will urge the clamping ring 22 downwardly within the annular groove in the body means to compress the peripheral portion of the applicator head 90 between the clamping ring and the adjacent walls of the groove.

After the clamping ring has been pressed down into the annular groove to the desired degree, the fluid pressure is released from the piston and cylinder whereby the springs '72 raise the tool into elevated position. The finished applicator head is seen in FIG. 6 wherein the clamping ring 22 has been pressed downwardly into the groove. It will be noted that ring 22 is tightly received on the outer surface of the sleeve portion 30 of the body means. In addition, the outermost peripheral portions of the applicator head 96 are tightly clamped between the clamping ring 22 and the adjacent walls of the groove as defined by the inner surface of flange 31 on the body means and the bottom wall of the groove. When the components are in the relative position shown in FIG. 6, the frictional forces between the clamping ring, the sleeve portion 36, the peripheral portions of the applicator head 90 and the flange 31 are such that the components are locked in this relative relationship to one another.

In order to remove the completed assembly as seen in FIG. 6 from the die, a knock-out pin may be inserted through the opening 45 in the bottom of the die for pushing the assembly out of the die. Of course, the aligned opening in the bed of the press will also accommodate the knock-out pin if it is desired to eject the assembly from the die prior to removing the die from the bed of the press.

It is, of course, evident that the same die may be reused over and over again in carrying out the method of manufacture according to the present invention and that the entire process may be carried out with a single press if desired, two different tools 80 and 1% being utilized for completing the assembly. The method of assembly obviously may be carried out by even the most inexperienced personnel, the operation being substantially automatic, and yet providing a very effective and eflicient manner of assembling the components in positive locked relationship to one another.

It is evident that after ejecting the completed applicator top from the die, the overall dispensing apparatus may be prepared for commercial sale by filling the container with the desired lotion and then merely screwing the top onto the threaded neck of the container.

After the completed dispensing apparatus has been so assembled, it may be effectively used in a very simple manner. When applying shaving lotion, for example, the container should first be shaken vigorously and then inverted. In such inverted position, general squeezing pressure applied to the squeeze bottle container will force the lotion through the central opening in the body means 9 and then the lotion will be distributed substantially uniformly throughout the portion of the spongy-like applicator head 21. The velvety lotion formed on the surface of the applicator head may then be applied directly to the skin whereby the lotion is adapted to reach all of the hair follicles to produce a more efiicient shaving action.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided a new and novel method for making a liquid dispensing apparatus which is particularly adapted for dispensing high viscosity lotions directly to the skin or hair. The apparatus permits the application of a uniform creamy lather and at the same time eliminates dripping from the apparatus.

The method and manufacture is quite simple and effective and yet enables the efiicient assembly of the components in locked relationship with respect to one another. The utilization of all cements and adhesives is completely eliminated in the present invention, and the dispensing apparatus is quite simple and inexpensive in construction and yet is compact, sturdy and reliable in operation.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. The method of making liquid dispensing apparatus comprising providing a flattened piece of porous material, providing a relatively rigid body means including an end wall having a hole formed through a central portion thereof and including a depending inner sleeve portion and 3 depending flange portion disposed in concentric spaced relationship to the inner sleeve portion to thereby define a groove between the inner sleeve portion and the flange portion, positioning the piece of porous material over the upper end of a die member, then forcing the body means downwardly to compress the porous material between the die member and the outer periphery of the body means such that the outer peripheral portions of the porous mate rial are disposed in overlying relationship to the groove of the body means, then forcing the peripheral edge portions of the porous material downwardly into said groove, and subsequently forcing an annular clamping ring into said groove in surrounding relationship to the inner sleeve portion of the body means to clamp the peripheral edge portions of the porous material between the clamped ring and the inner surface of the flange on the body means thereby positively securing the porous material to the body means.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein threads are provided on the inner surface of the sleeve portion of the body means, and including the additional step of providing an open-ended container having threads formed on the outer periphery thereof, and threading said body means on said threaded open end of the container to provide the finished apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 375,004 Schott Dec. 20, 1887 1,592,753 Beyer July 13, 1926 2,26 ,411 Rees Nov. 4, 1941 2,265,603 Kingman Dec. 9, 1941 2,853,728 Nadai Sept. 30, 1958 2,924,837 Lehre Feb. 16, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 213,755 Switzerland March 1941 805,997 Great Britain Dec. 17, 1958 1,129,369 France Sept. 3, 956 

1. THE METHOD OF MAKING LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS COMPRISING PROVIDING A FLATTENED PIECE OF POROUS MATERIAL, PROVIDING A RELATIVELY RIGID BODY MEANS INCLUDING AN END WALL HAVING A HOLE FORMED THROUGH A CENTRAL PORTION THEREOF AND INCLUDING A DEPENDING INNER SLEEVE PORTION AND A DEPENDING FLANGE PORTION DISPOSED IN CONCENTRIC SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE INNER SLEEVE PORTION TO THEREBY DEFINE A GROOVE BETWEEN THE INNER SLEEVE PORTION AND THE FLANGE PORTION, POSITIONING THE PIECE OF POROUS MATERIAL OVER THE UPPER END OF A DIE MEMBER, THEN FORCING THE BODY MEANS DOWNWARDLY TO COMPRESS THE POROUS MATERIAL BETWEEN THE DIE MEMBER AND THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF THE BODY MEANS SUCH THAT THE OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF THE POROUS MATERIAL ARE DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP TO THE GROOVE OF THE BODY MEANS, THEN FORCING THE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTIONS OF THE POROUS MATERIAL DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID GROOVE, 